Istiqlál, 10 Mas͟híyyat (Will), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
O peoples of the world! Give ear unto the call of Him Who is the Lord of Names, Who proclaimeth unto you from His habitation in the Most Great Prison: “Verily, no God is there but Me, the Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Subduing, the Most Exalted, the Omniscient, the All-Wise.” In truth, there is no God but Him, the Omnipotent Ruler of the worlds. Were it His Will, He would, through but a single word proceeding from His presence, lay hold on all mankind. Beware lest ye hesitate in your acceptance of this Cause—a Cause before which the Concourse on high and the dwellers of the Cities of Names have bowed down. Fear God, and be not of those who are shut out as by a veil. Burn ye away the veils with the fire of My love, and dispel ye the mists of vain imaginings by the power of this Name through which We have subdued the entire creation. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Question for Consideration:
Mention some veils that shut us out from God. 2
Google Bard Response:
Here are some veils that can shut us out from God:
- Our ego: Our ego can lead us to believe that we are separate from God and that we don’t need Him. It can also make us arrogant and proud, which can prevent us from seeing God’s love and grace.
- Our attachments: Our attachments to material things, people, and places can prevent us from focusing on God and His will. They can also create a false sense of security and stability, which can make us less likely to turn to God for help and guidance.
- Our worldly desires: Our worldly desires, such as the desire for fame, fortune, and power, can lead us to make choices that are contrary to God’s will. They can also create a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction, which can make us feel distant from God.
- Our sins and shortcomings: Our sins and shortcomings can create a sense of guilt and shame, which can make us feel unworthy of God’s love and forgiveness. They can also prevent us from experiencing His peace and joy.
Other veils that can shut us out from God include:
- Ignorance: When we don’t know about God, we can’t have a relationship with Him.
- Doubt: When we doubt God’s existence or His love for us, it can prevent us from experiencing His presence.
- Fear: Fear of God or fear of the unknown can also keep us from drawing close to Him.
If we want to experience the fullness of God’s love and presence, we must strive to remove all of the veils that stand between us and Him. This is a lifelong process, but it is one that is well worth it.
In the passage from Bahá’u’lláh that you quoted, He calls upon us to burn away these veils with the fire of His love and to dispel the mists of vain imaginings by the power of His name. He reminds us that there is no God but Him, and that He is the Omnipotent Ruler of the worlds.
Here are some things we can do to burn away the veils that shut us out from God:
- Pray regularly and sincerely.
- Study the scriptures and other spiritual writings.
- Meditate on God’s love and presence.
- Serve others in the spirit of love and compassion.
- Repent of our sins and shortcomings and seek God’s forgiveness.
- Be patient and persistent in our efforts to grow closer to God.
If we want to experience the fullness of God’s love and presence in our lives, we need to be willing to let go of the things that are keeping us separate from Him. This means humbling ourselves, detaching ourselves from material things, and turning away from our worldly desires. It also means repenting of our sins and shortcomings, and seeking God’s forgiveness.
It is important to remember that God loves us unconditionally and that He wants to have a relationship with us. He has given us the gift of prayer so that we can communicate with Him and receive His love and guidance. When we pray sincerely, we are opening ourselves up to God’s transforming power.
- Bahá’u’lláh. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed October 6, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/kitab-i-aqdas/6#636226833. ↩
- Ruhi Institute. Reflections on the Life of the Spirit. 4.1.2.PE May 2020. Vol. Book 1. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Institute, 2020, 18. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 